Mountain View Middle School

School Safety

Bullying Prevention

The Sumner School District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, parents/guardians, volunteers, and patrons that is free from harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

“Harassment, intimidation, or bullying” means any intentionally written message or image, including those that are electronically transmitted verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, mental or physical disability or other distinguishing characteristics, when an act:

Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property.

Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education.

Is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment.

Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

Nothing in this section requires the affected student to actually possess a characteristic that is a basis for the harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

“Other distinguishing characteristics” can include but are not limited to: physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, socioeconomic status, and weight. “Intentional acts” refers to the individual’s choice to engage in the act rather than the ultimate impact of the action(s).

BEHAVIORS/EXPRESSIONS

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying can take many forms including, but not limited to slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats or other written, oral, physical, or electronically transmitted messages or images. This policy is not intended to prohibit expression of religious, philosophical, or political views, provided that the expression does not substantially disrupt the educational environment. Many behaviors that do not rise to the level of harassment, intimidation, or bullying may still be prohibited by other district policies or building, classroom or program rules. Employees, in particular, are expected to support the dignity and safety of all members of the school community.

TRAINING

This policy is a component of the District’s responsibility to create and maintain a safe, civil, respectful, and inclusive learning community and shall be implemented in conjunction with comprehensive training of students, staff and volunteers; as well as in coordination with prevention, intervention, crisis response and recovery plans.

PREVENTION

The District will provide students with strategies aimed at preventing harassment, intimidation, and bullying. In its efforts to train students, the District will seek partnerships with families, law enforcement, and other community agencies. The District shall make available to parents and guardians materials and information resources regarding the recognition and prevention of cyberbullying, electronic harassment, intimidation and bullying.

Kelso's Choice - various elementary school sites

HIB lessons at selected K - 5 sites

Schools use summary HIB slides to review policy guidelines with students and staff

INTERVENTIONS

Interventions are designed to remediate the impact on the targeted student(s) and others impacted by the violation, to change the behavior of the perpetrator, and to restore a positive school climate. The District will consider the frequency of incidents, developmental age of the student, and severity of the conduct in determining intervention strategies. Interventions will range from counseling, correcting behavior and discipline, to law enforcement referrals. It is also a violation of District policy to knowingly report false allegations of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Students or employees will not be disciplined for making a report in good faith. However, persons found to knowingly report or corroborate false allegations will be subject to appropriate discipline.